“To write is to write is to write is to write is to write is to write is to write”.
(Gertrude Stein)
My name is Chase William Fraicola and I came out kicking and screaming on April 16, 1984. I plan on going out in a much similar fashion, kicking and screaming, sometime during the 2060’s.
I was raised in North Huntingdon, PA and attended Norwin school district. I was an only child, my half-sisters being at least 20 years older than myself, with parents who worked a good deal. They say that necessity is the mother of invention and I couldn’t agree more. I needed to be entertained so I began, at a very young age, to create people, worlds, and situations in my mind. I was a fiction writer before I even knew what fiction was or how to form words on paper. Out of this creation came my passion for living and, arguably, my poor decision making. Characters are more believable if their writes have a shared experience: After all, how would I know how to write about the feeling of jumping head first off a 200 foot cliff with nothing more than a 2 inch thick repel line for support if I had never done it?
After 18 years I came to that age when we are grown ups, except not really, because we have to go to college and learn all the caveats of true adulthood by experiencing them first-hand. There’s that cliff-jumping again; except this time it’s Vlady, Adderall, and one night stands. I wanted My parents wanted me to go to W&J and be a doctor. I wanted to go to NYU and be a writer. My parents won, kind of. I went to W&J in the fall of 2002 and, with the help of Vlady and a production of “The Crucible” decided it wasn’t for me by February of 2003. I transferred to WVU the following fall semester.
Through a series of unfortunate events, hello Adderall and one night stands, my first year at WVU didn’t go as I had planned; even though I did manage to land a sweet summer internship. The summer came and went and I went back home to PA. The options were laid before me: Live at home and work at McDonalds or live at home and work at McDonalds while going to the local community college. I chose option c; run away from my problems and live with my boyfriend the parents didn’t know about. There’s that damn cliff again…
I ran: I packed some things I thought I needed, some shower supplies, and 4 pairs of shoes. I must’ve thought I was going on a week long camping trip or something; who knows… it was many years ago. I got into my the car my parents let me drive and headed off into the early morning dawn. I lasted a week, we talked it out, and my parents gave me a little more slack on my repel line. Children, after all, get older.
I re-enrolled at WVU, this time as an English major, and got a full time job. 18 hours a semester became 12 which became 6 which became nothing. I could feel my repel line rubbing raw against the rocks above: I made the choice to go it alone. It hasn’t always been easy, but with the support of my family and great friends I made it, finally, to the end of one of life’s journeys. I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in English Language and Literature with a focus in Creative Writing.
I worked as a sometimes bartender, often times corporate trainer for the following 3 years. I traveled the country from NYC to Denver (twice); Oxford, Maine to California (thrice). I opened 14 restaurants and trained hundreds of Applebuddies for 3 differently run franchises.
Life happened, family came back into focus, and it was time to come back home. I’ve been living back in the Pittsburgh region for almost 3 years now and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve reconnected with old friends, been able to support my family through some tough times, and do the growing up I should’ve done in my 20’s.
I have a passion for life that has led me to do some amazing, and arguably stupid, things. I’ve been introduced to all kinds of unique people. I have had, in my 32 short years on this planet, some amazing experiences. I am a fiction writer at heart so everything about me is, and will always be, a bit over the top. As a writer, though, I’ve learned that I must always be genuine in everything I do; otherwise no one would believe a word I said.
I want to be an honest man
and a good writer…
(James Baldwin)
I hope that you will join me on this little journey called life. It may not always be earth-shattering; but it will be entertaining. Let’s enjoy the ride together.
Peace, truth, & love,
Chase W Fraicola
Chase W Fraicola 